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For many young girls in Japan today, the sight of Sanae Takaichi assuming leadership as the nation's inaugural woman prime minister is powerful and formative.

This signifies a male-oriented culture and a political system that has historically been controlled by men is now led by a female.

But while the optics speak of a forward-thinking era, some women do not view her as an champion of progress.

It was rather fascinating to observe how people beyond Japan's borders have responded to the news,” Ayda Ogura says.

“Everyone's like, ‘wow, she's the first female prime minister in Japanese history and that would be a significant chance for women empowerment and gender equality in Japan’.

“I think that's a rather simplistic view.”

Instead, Ms Ogura points to her “political beliefs and what she stands for,” noting: “She reinforces the male-dominated structure.”

A strong admirer of Britain's first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi has long aspired to be the “Iron Lady” of her nation.

And like Thatcher, Takaichi is a firm conservative.

Analysts note her leadership is a tactical move from the ruling LDP to attract the increasingly right-leaning base which had lately shifted towards Japan's parties further to the right.

The leader is against same-sex marriage and has consistently voted against laws that would permit spouses to have separate surnames, preventing many women from retaining their birth surnames.

She's also against women being in line for succession in the royal household.

However, she moderated some of her statements during her election bid – saying she supports giving financial benefits to companies that provide childcare facilities to their staff and spoke of possible deductions for households investing in childcare.

But she has over the years backed the notion of a conventional role for females in society and in the family.

Regarding gender matters, Takaichi is consistent with her country's less than impressive record on gender issues.

Japan's Inequality in Perspective

Japanese women are among the best educated and most skilled in the globe and yet they face challenges with the expectations of a conservative society that still pushes them into conventional positions.

Based on the 2025 equality ranking by the global organization, Japan placed 118th among 148 nations, with female representation in the political arena notably low.

Top roles have traditionally been dominated by males and Japan has struggled to increase the number of female lawmakers and corporate executives.

The globally fourth biggest economic power places last among the G7 countries when it comes to the share of females in its national parliament. In detail, females make up about 15.7% of lawmakers in Japan, the smallest proportion among the G7.

It is even slow when it comes to women's reproductive health: only this week was it announced that the “emergency” pill – a form of post-coital birth control available without prescription in more than 90 nations – had at last been authorized for over the counter use in Japan.

Mixed Reactions to the Historic Appointment

Even so, certain individuals view Takaichi's ascent as a pivotal moment that could change how women view their prospects.

“It is highly meaningful in Ms Takaichi assuming the role of prime minister, with a wider influence on the public,” a former mayor – who was elected as the nation's most youthful woman mayor in 2012 – informed local media.

Koshi argued Japan having a woman prime minister will “reduce mental obstacles” for females of all ages, helping them feel it is normal to “stand out” as authorities in businesses and society, despite gender-based stereotypes and norms still remain.

But Audrey Hill-Uekawa points out that, while it is remarkable Japan has its inaugural woman leader, it is important to recall it required her more than 30 years to get to that position.

“Additionally, she is not really going against the norm. She's saying the same thing as the men.”

Ms Hill-Uekawa adds that she ought not be placed on a platform just due to the fact she is a female.

“We need to make sure we're discussing her agenda. We must be capable of evaluate her fairly as everyone else.”

Political Background and Influences

It is not just what Takaichi has stated which has led people to label her as a defender of the male-dominated system.

It's also evident by which individuals her champions inside the party have were.

She was mentored of the deceased former conservative prime minister Shinzo Abe, and was endorsed in the party vote by Taro Aso – a senior figure in the LDP at the head of one of the government's most powerful conservative blocs.

Their group's support for Sanae Takaichi was pivotal in consolidating the conservative wing in her favor.

“I do feel that it is challenging for females to sort of identify with her achievement because it furthers this idea that we must be obedient with the status quo,” 21-year-old a citizen says.

The 21-year-old agrees, saying that with her as a figurehead for women in politics, “people are going to expect the same from us as well”.

“They will demand women to be compliant, not oppose the beliefs that they hold, and it could render our job more difficult.”

Upcoming Obstacles and Expectations

Achieving this milestone, however, was only the initial of the challenges Takaichi will encounter – not least tackling a sluggish economy and inflation and winning back the confidence of a discontented and irate voting public, as well as hosting the US leader within a short time of assuming office.

It's safe to say that few anticipate women's rights matters to be high on her priority list.